Halloween

I guess we've started to hit the tweens or whatever it's called these days. Andrew didn't want to go trick or treating for the first time. He chilled out at home. He was looking forward to giving out candy though we only had a few kids (and 1 adult) stop by.

But Emery and Matt were very excited to get some candy. Our little princess and our star wars commander were ready to go. I didn't realize Matt had grown so much this year. The costume fit him fine last Halloween, but he was showing off quite a bit of calf this year.

This year, they hit the jackpot.

We like to pick up a costume right after Halloween. Can't beat 50% off. So Matt is going to be Wolverine next year.

Even Wolverine has to practice piano everyday.

#18 - American Military History

American military history is fascinating to me. I'm not sure why. I think victory appeals to something inherently true and right in God's character and His sovereignty over the world. After all, Jesus will return in victory over the anti-Christ and Satan.

Revelation 19:14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. ¹⁵ From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. ¹⁶ And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

And Christ is victorious over sin and death today.
1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; ⁵⁷ but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I think I've always loved the discipline, camraderie and professionalism of America's military too. Loyalty, valor and courage expressed in the willingness to sacrifice even one's own life for others exemplify the heart of God in the love of Christ.

I recently read American Military History. It is a brief survey of our nation's military. I learned quite a bit of interesting information especially about colonial militias and the Civil War which I know virtually nothing about.

It's not exactly the most exciting read though for military history buffs, I think you will enjoy it.

3 Goal Game, AGAIN!

I'm not sure how he's doing it. But Matt continues to do well in soccer. He had another 3 goals today! The little guy earned all 3 too with some good moves and good shots.

We just barely got this goal on film so don't blink, he scores right away.

Here's some good effort on defense.

It was chilly this morning. I made sure to bundle up.

Speech meet

Last week, our kids participated in what's called Speech meet. They each gave presentations to judges. Everyone had to recite a poem or Bible verses.

Andrew chose to do Psalm 119:1-12.

Matt did Psalm 23.

And Emery did Ephesians 6:1-3. I'm not exactly sure, but I think they were rated on a scale of Superior - being the highest, Excellent - second level and Good - third level. If they made the Superior or Excellent categories, they would go on to district speech meet at another Christian school here in ABQ. Matt got Superior and both Andrew and Emz got Excellent. Though they were quite nervous, the boys and girl did GREAT!

Today was district, and their roles were reversed. Andrew and Emz got Superior while Matt got Excellent. They each got a blue Superior ribbon, a red Excellent ribbon and a purple/pink qualified for district ribbon. They were tickled pink to have 3 ribbons. And they got to eat at McDonalds. They were loving life in their new bean bag chairs too!

Emzy's Tooth #2

In just about 1 week, Emery lost 2 teeth.

My baby girl is growing up! Say it isn't so!

This video is so funny in how fast Emery goes from laughing and happy to "ow" then back to laughing and happy and back to "ow." Thankfully it all ended happy. That's the most important part.

#16 - The Art of War

Sun Tzu was a Chinese general who lived several hundred centuries before Christ. His life is somewhat legendary and not much is truly known or verified about him. But he supposedly wrote a book, The Art of War, that sets down military strategy that is still followed by military leaders today.

I had heard about this book for years and finally tracked down a copy to read this year. It was a really short but good read. Here are a few quotes:

• Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
• A leader leads by example, not by force.
• When one treats people with benevolence, justice, and righteoousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders.
• If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

The last one is my favorite. It is so true, especially in the realm of spiritual war. Know your enemy - the sinful flesh, especially. Know how deceitful your heart is, how depraved your mind can be and how cunning your fleshly desires are. Know your proclivity to certain sins. Know your strongest temptations and your heart idols, even the most insignificant one because no idol is insignificant.

Know yourself. Know your true identity in Christ. Know your adoption, your regeneration, your redemption, your justification, your sanctification and your glorification in Christ. Know the precious and magnificent promises that are yours now in Christ.

If you do, you will be transformed and victorious in the battles of life. Unfortunately, too many Christians know neither themselves nor the enemy within and thus succumb to many a temptation. Sun Tzu's military strategy very clearly points to a greater spiritual reality.

Duke City Half Marathon

Today was the day. After training for months, I ran 13.1 miles in the official time of 1:58:57. I just barely beat my goal of 2 hours.

I finished 365th out of 1066 who finished the race. I think there were some 1500 or so that actually ran. In the 35 to 39 year-old age bracket for men, I came in 26 out of 66. All in all, it was a good day.

I really appreciated the support I got from the family. Sandy was a great sponsor, and the kids were supportive too. Running is not my favorite thing, but I do it to "discipline my body" as Paul said in 1 Cor 9:27 so that I may have better spiritual self-control and so that I can have better health.